With this vehicle turning out to be a smashing success on this side of the pond, additional engine options could only boost sales. The international reviews of the X1 have been extremely positive, raving about the how fun it is to drive. Matt Davis of Edmunds Inside Line even says this about the diesel engine: “What we lose a little in driving fun with either the X3 or 3 Series sport wagon, we gain back here in the X1. In some instances, this 3,660-pound X1 even improves upon the handling of the 1 Series coupe.” As for that diesel knock many like to take issue with and complain about, it has even been reported by some that it is even a little quieter that the 4 cylinder turbo petrol option. While musings continue as to whether or not we will see the X1 diesel come over to the Americas, you can put one under my tree as soon as it does!

BMW has an amazing talent for finding niche markets, then maximizing the available potential within those markets. Just look at the X6. All the haters and naysayers scoffed at the idea, and now those companies are looking for ways to catch up to the runaway success that predator on wheels. When the 535 GT was launched, it saw the end of the Sports Wagon in North America, however, there are those who love their wagon and the GT just doesn’t quite do it for them, so as their lease or finance comes to an end, they are keeping their wagons, or Tourings as we like to call them. These wagons, or hatchbacks if you will, are available in the 1, 3 and 5 series in Europe and continue to be a huge success as they maintain the driving dynamic of their coupe and sedan siblings while increasing versatility. For those who don’t like crossovers, wagons remain the most obvious choice. The only thing better than a 535i Touring is the M5 Touring!

Speaking of hatchbacks, what about the 1 series. A sexy and sophisticated older brother of the coupe and cabriolet varieties, this is a car that customers do ask about and BMW could reach into a market it has largely stayed away from, at least over here that is. Put away any preconceptions of who may choose to drive a hatchback, those who drive them, love them and there is definitely a clientele looking for that premium experience but like what they like. So why shouldn’t those hatchback lovers be driving a BMW, it is after all the Ultimate Driving Machine, in any configuration. With gas prices what they are these days, make it petrol or diesel, but make it a hatch. Small on size, big on joy!

Hate driving in our Canadian winters? What about the price of gas these days? I recently wrote a blog about the X5 35d and how great I thought this was, especially when all that power is matched with great fuel efficiency. To match that engine with its sporty X6 sibling would mean beating winter into submission, while taking comfort in the fact you can do it for much longer on a single tank! With a best in class emissions rating of 220g/km of CO2 emitted by this sexy beast, BMW’s twin-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel motor is a bit of Christmas magic. Private Fleet reports with “better handling than a Cayenne, an X6 is an enthusiast’s car. Safe, stylish and practical, the BMW X6 xDrive35d will keep the other half, not to mention the kids, happy too – what ever the weather.” Maybe we will even see the X6M 50d one day. It is the time to make your Christmas wishes known after all!

This is one wish that is supposed to come true. We have already seen the signs, and have even started taking the orders, although it won’t be for this coming Christmas, it seems to be BMW i-nevitability as opposed to BMW fiction. Tom Cruise was recently spotted in Russia getting out of the concept version of the i8 known as Vision EfficientDynamics which co-stars with him in the latest Mission Impossible movie, Ghost Protocol. For the i8, BMW will combine a 1.5L inline 3 engine (possibly diesel) with two electric motors with an output of 95 HP each. The final output will be in the 400 HP area. And yes, there are plans for an M version to be powered by an inline 6 or a V8 engine with an output of 450 horses. That engine would be combined with two "supercaps" that will add a total of 100 HP each. You do the math, and let the joy flow!

Jason Foucault

BMW Toronto

Portfolio Manager